I was spanked as a child, I am in my 60's. We spanked our boys for blatant disobedience or when they did something that was dangerous. We did not have to spank them very much at all as they were pretty good children. Most everything can be handled before a spanking is needed if parents are present and engaged and watching the children. My observation of child rearing today is that the training needs to be given to the parents, not the children. Parents are not engaged to see things before they happen and do something to prevent it. They are more connected to their devices or their interests and the children are raising themselves. (Yes, I see it in my own family and I feel so sorry for my little grands who are not being raised to be loving and lovable children. It breaks my heart.)